Sandstorm has overtaken the Middle East

After the latest in a series of record sandstorms raced through the Middle East, residents were advised to stay at home and flights were interrupted.

In recent weeks, storms have sent thousands of people to hospitals across the Middle East, with at least one death in Iraq and three in Syria.

Parts of Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia have also been hit by practically consecutive sandstorms.

Climate change and weak government laws are blamed by experts and authorities.

Sandstorms are common in late spring and summer, and are triggered by seasonal winds.

However, since March, they have happened virtually every week in Iraq.

Bright orange sky and a thick mist of grit signalled another stormy day in the Middle East on Monday, from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to Tehran in Iran.